At Ajith RedAnt Racing, the 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, second round of the 24H European Series, is always eagerly anticipated. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO appeared to have secured victory in the GT3 Pro-Am class in front of the home crowd, but a controversial decision by race control ultimately changed that outcome.
The 12 Hours of Spa is a home race for Ajith RedAnt Racing, which always provides extra motivation. “We headed to our home race convinced that at Spa we can always deliver something extra, considering we know the circuit and Belgian weather better than our competitors,” says team boss Bert Redant. “On top of that, it’s always nice during one of our few home races to be able to invite family and friends to experience the action live.”
The preliminary test sessions and free practice went almost perfectly for the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, driven by the quartet Ajith Kumar, Ayrton and Yannick Redant, and Kobe de Breucker. That momentum wasn’t fully carried into qualifying, but with a fifth-place starting position all chances of success remained intact. Even after the first part of the race on Saturday, an overall podium and a victory in the Pro-Am class were still very much possible.
“Despite a small off-track moment by one of our drivers, we still had the podium in sight on Saturday evening,” says Bert Redant. “Just before the finish of the first part of the race we were able to fit new tyres and completely refuel the car. All the more reason to start Sunday’s segment with full ambition.”
And the second part of the race started perfectly for Ajith RedAnt Racing. The #93 Mercedes-AMG quickly took the lead in the Pro-Am class and also climbed to fourth place overall. Until it began to rain half an hour before the end.
“Apparently the weather gods felt there had already been enough sunshine in Spa,” Bert Redant recounts. “At such a moment everyone waits until something happens, so they can dive into the pits under Code 60 to switch to rain tyres. Unfortunately, we were the ones who caused the Code 60, due to a slide at Blanchimont, a place where many drivers made mistakes this weekend. Luckily Yannick was able to limit the damage, and we could continue, although missing some bodywork.”
Because of the incident, the Proton Porsche, second in Pro-Am, managed to close the gap to the Mercedes-AMG. Yannick Redant had to give everything for about half an hour to keep the car behind him, and succeeded brilliantly. Until the Porsche driver decided to play the unsporting card.
“Our car was rammed several times by the Porsche,” Redant continues. “Even under Code 60. And also at Raidillon and in the final lap at La Source, where he managed to pass us. Each time, Yannick reclaimed the position that had been taken from him unfairly and unsportingly.”
Onboard footage clearly shows the Porsche hitting the Mercedes at La Source at far too high a speed, causing Yannick Redant to be pushed almost an entire car width sideways. Footage that race control apparently ignored, because after the race, during which Yannick Redant, despite a second heavy hit in the final corner, still crossed the line first in Pro-Am, the stewards immediately handed Ajith RedAnt Racing a 20-second time penalty. The Porsche received absolutely no penalty.
“The fact that Yannick reclaimed his position was punished, not the unsporting behaviour of the Porsche,” concludes Bert Redant. “In the end we were classified second, which given the circumstances is a good result and brings important points for the championship. But winning is always our ambition. So when victory is taken away in such a manner, it always leaves a bitter aftertaste. But as always: we win or we learn. So we also have to learn from this to make sure next time we stand on our rightful place on the podium and stay there.”
